Adjustable stand for household appliance

ABSTRACT

A stand and method for elevating and leveling an appliance above the ground surface with an adjustable stand having a first surface for supporting the appliance in an upright and vertical manner and a second surface for engaging with the ground, where the space between these surface is adjustable at one or more points by independently rotating a plurality of the second surfaces in order to selectively vertically displace the first surface with respect to the ground.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/495,055, filed on Sep. 1, 2016, the contents of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a stand for elevating and leveling an appliance. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable stand for elevating and leveling household appliances such as water heaters and the like.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of elevating an appliance above a ground surface that may be un-level or uneven, comprising providing an adjustable stand comprising a first surface configured to support the appliance in an upright and vertical manner and a second ground engaging surface spaced apart from the first surface. The method comprises adjusting the spacing between the first surface and the second surface by independently rotating the second ground engaging surface in order to selectively vertically displace the second surface with respect to the ground.

The method further comprises placing the appliance on top of the first surface wherein the first surface comprising a plurality of spaced apart support surfaces. Adjusting the spacing between the first surface and the second surface for leveling the appliance on top of the stand with respect to the ground can be done independently for each second surface, wherein the second surfaces are spaced apart and wherein the second surface is an appliance support surface and the first surface is a ground engaging surface.

Leveling the appliance with respect to the ground surface is done by using a tool to rotate the second surface wherein the tool can rotate freely under the stand and the appliance given the spacing between the first surface and the second surface.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an adjustable stand for elevating and leveling an appliance where the stand had a first surface configured to hold a base of the appliance and support the appliance in an upright and vertical manner and a second surface where the second surface is a ground engaging surface variably spaced apart from the first surface. The second surface comprises one or more ground engaging contact points positioned around a perimeter of the first surface and the one or more ground engaging contact points are independently positionable along a vertical axis for leveling the first surface and thus leveling the appliance supported thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the stand.

FIG. 3 illustrates the stand in use with a household appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An adjustable stand is configured to elevate and level an appliance set thereon. The adjustable stand can be used to elevate and level an appliance that is positioned in a space with uneven flooring or any non-level surface. The stand can also be used to allow access to areas around and under the appliance, allowing a user to detect leaks or other conditions more easily.

The adjustable stand 10 is illustrated generally in FIGS. 1-3. The stand 10 is configured to support a household appliance. In the embodiment illustrated, the stand 10 is configured with dimensions to support a household appliance such as a hot water heater 12 thereon. The dimensions of the stand 10 may vary to support other household appliances of equipment thereon.

The stand 10 is adjustable around its perimeter 16 at one or more locations 18 spaced there along so that a distance 14 from a plurality of ground engaging surfaces 20 of the stand 10 and an appliance or equipment supporting surface 22 can be selectively and independently adjusted. This allows the appliance supporting surface 22 to support the appliance or equipment 12, thereon in a level position. What is meant by the term “level” as used throughout this disclosure refers to the appliance or equipment 12 secured on the stand 10 being horizontal in a plane or line with respect to the distance above or below a given point, such as the base or ground surface.

The overall shape of the stand 10 as illustrated is circular, however alternative geometries are within the scope of this disclosure as the geometries are of dimensions sufficient to securely support the selected appliance or equipment thereon. The stand 10 is comprised of a durable strength material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or other metal tubing. The stand may then be provided with a protective coating, such as a material comprised of rubber in order to protect a base of the appliance or equipment 12 secured thereon as well as to provide a non-slip and/or water resistant surface to the stand 10.

Positioned around the perimeter 16 at the one or more locations 18 are adjustment mechanisms 24 configured to adjustably receive a length 21 of the ground engaging surface 20. The ground engaging surfaces 20 are adjustable through an aperture 26 in the connection mechanisms 24. The apertures 26 may be threaded apertures configured to receive a reciprocal threaded length 21 of the ground engaging surfaces 20. The ground engaging surface 20 may be a flat and/or smooth end or head of a threaded bolt having a larger diameter that is sufficient to provide a surface area 20 for engaging with a ground surface and for supporting the stand 10 and the weight of the appliance or equipment 12 secured thereon above the ground surface.

As illustrated in further detail in FIG. 3, the mechanisms 24 are secured to a ground facing surface of the stand 10 at each location 18. At about the same location 18, the appliance or equipment support surface 20 is a component of a support 28 that is also secured to the stand 10. The supports 28 are positioned on an inner surface of the stand 10 such that the supports 28 protrude inwardly from the perimeter 16 of the stand 10. Thus, the supports 28 are positioned directly underneath the base of the appliance or equipment 12 secured on the stand 10 in order to provide support for holding the appliance or equipment 12 upright and level on the stand 10.

Referring back to the adjustment mechanisms 24, the mechanisms 24 are secured at locations 18 spaced apart on the perimeter of the stand 10. The locations may be the same locations as the supports 28 or may otherwise be offset from the locations 18 of the supports 28. In the embodiment illustrated, the mechanisms 24 are secured on the stand 10 at approximately the same location on the perimeter 16 as the supports 18. The mechanisms 24 are each secured to the stand 10 and extend downwardly from connection with the stand 10 in order to elevate the stand 10. A base end 30 of each mechanism 24 is configured with an extension 32. The extension 32 comprises the aperture 26 therein for receiving the length 21 of the ground engaging surface 20 therein. The extension 32 extends outwardly from the base end 30, transversely to the direction of the adjustment mechanism 24, so that the length 21 of the ground engaging surface 20 can be vertically movable there through and in an unobstructed and easily accessible manner.

In the embodiment illustrated, the extension 32 comprises a surface having a threaded aperture therein, which is similar instruction to a nut configured to receive a bolt length. The ground engaging surface 20 is then the head of the mating bolt, where a terminal end surface 21 of the head of the bolt engages with the ground surface. Thus, independent rotation of the length 21 of each ground engaging surface results in selective vertical displacement of the surface 20 in order to raise and lower each side of the stand 10 and thus level the support surface of the stand 10 and thus the appliance or equipment 12 secured thereon.

The supports 28 may be stainless steel or a material of similar strength and durability. The supports 28 may be “L” shaped brackets or other tubing having at least one surface configured to support the equipment 12 thereon. For example, the supports have a substantially flat surface having rectangular dimensions. The supports 28 are each secured at one end to a location 18 on the stand 10, and for example, may be welded to the stand or otherwise fixedly secured or integrally formed with the stand 10.

As the supports 28 are configured to vertically support the appliance or equipment 12 positioned thereon, the supports cooperate with the perimeter 16 of the stand 10 and the locations 18 at which the supports 28 are mounted on the inner surface of the perimeter 16 of the stand 10, allow the perimeter 16 of the stand 10 itself to act as a ridge or barrier to retain the appliance or equipment 12 within the interior of the perimeter 16 and on the stand 10. That is, the ring of the perimeter 16 has a height that limits or prevents horizontal movement of the appliance or equipment 12 when the appliance or equipment is loaded onto the stand.

Adjusting the height and/or leveling the stand 10 includes first providing a stand 10 and inserting the length 21 of the ground engaging surface 20 into the aperture 26 of the adjustment mechanism 24. Independently rotating the threaded length 21 adjusts the distance between the ground engaging surface 20 and the support surfaces 22, so each one of the plurality of ground engaging surfaces is vertically raised or lowered to a selected vertical position of height of the flat, ground engaging surface 20. A level may then be used and placed across the perimeter 16 and/or between two or more opposing support surfaces 22 when the ground engaging surface 20 are in contact or otherwise engaged with the ground surface at a selected location for the appliance or equipment 12. Once the support surface 22 heights have been independently adjusted such that the support surfaces 22 are level with respect to the ground on which the stand 10 is placed, the appliance or equipment may then be placed on the stand 10 and on top of the support surfaces 22.

A tool, for example, a wrench, may be used to rotate the ground engaging surface and the threaded length 21 to vertically displace the ground engaging surface 20. The stand 10 including the supports 18 and the adjustment mechanisms 24 are strong enough to support an appliance, such as a water heater thereon. The vertical height of the stand 10 at the supports 18 and the adjustment mechanisms 24 can be adjusted while the water heater is positioned on the stand 10 and supported upright by the supports 18. The tool, such as a wrench, can be used then to rotate the ground engaging surface 20 and thus displace (e.g., adjust the vertical spacing there between) the ground engaging surface 20 with respect to the support surface 18 at that same location 18 on the stand 10. The dimensions of the stand 10 and the position of the adjustment mechanisms 24, and thus the position of the aperture 26 and the ground engaging surface 20, allow for free rotation of the tool to adjust the height(s) on the stand for leveling the stand with the appliance's weight thereon. Thus, the stand 10 can be adjusted and/or leveled without removal of the appliance 12.

The stand 10 may be formed by molding, allowing the stand 10 be comprised of various materials in addition to aluminum, steel or materials of like strength. For example, the stand 10 may be made using a mold and a molding process which allows the stand be formed of a plastic composite material, thus reducing the costs associated with the stand 10. The plastic composite material, examples of which include but are not limited to wood-plastic composites, and fiberglass fabric composites is molded to form the stand 10 having sufficient strength and rigidity to be certified to hold selected equipment 12 including water heaters and the like. The first surface, or ring, of the stand 10 can be molded and can still be used with the metal bolts as ground engaging surfaces or alternatively, the ground engaging surfaces may also be comprised of molded composite material such that the molded ground engaging surfaces comprise a threaded length for adjusting the elevation of the first surface of the stand 10 and a ground engaging surface for supporting the stand 10 in the elevated position.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

1. A method of elevating an appliance above a ground surface comprising: providing an adjustable stand comprising a first surface configured to support the appliance in an upright and vertical manner and a second ground engaging surface spaced apart from the first surface; adjusting the spacing between the first surface and the second surface by independently rotating the second ground engaging surface in order to selectively vertically displace the second surface with respect to the ground.
 2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising placing the appliance on top of the first surface wherein the first surface comprising a plurality of spaced apart support surfaces.
 3. The method of claim 2, and further comprising adjusting the spacing between the first surface and the second surface for leveling the appliance on top of the stand with respect to the ground.
 4. The method of claim 3, and leveling the appliance with respect to the ground surface by using a tool to rotate the second surface wherein the tool can rotate freely under the stand and the appliance given the spacing between the first surface and the second surface.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first surface is formed by molding a composite material.
 6. An adjustable stand for elevating and leveling an appliance, the stand comprising: a first surface configured to hold a base of the appliance and support the appliance in an upright and vertical manner; a second surface where the second surface is a ground engaging surface spaced apart from the first surface; wherein the second surface comprises one or more ground engaging contact points positioned around a perimeter of the first surface and wherein the one or more ground engaging contact points are independently positionable along a vertical axis for leveling the first surface and thus leveling the appliance supported thereon.
 7. The adjustable stand of claim 6, wherein the first surface comprises a ring having one or more support bars secured thereto and extending inwardly towards an open center of the ring, where the support bars are horizontally positioned to support the base of the appliance in an upright manner on the stand.
 8. The adjustable stand of claim 6, wherein the support bars are positioned on an inner facing surface of the ring and below a top surface of the stand, such that the perimeter of the ring provides a ledge to prevent lateral movement of the appliance supported on the stand.
 9. The adjustable stand of claim 6, wherein the first surface and the support bars are integrally formed of a composite material and are formed by a molding process.
 10. The adjustable stand of claim 9, wherein the second surfaces are also formed of a composite material and are formed by a molding process. 